Bird & Bird LLP
Client SatisfactionOperating at the forefront of the global IP markets, Bird & Bird LLP possesses well-earned gravitas through its wealth of experience coordinating international mandates, managing significant trade mark and copyright litigation alongside transactional work. Tom Snaith and Rebecca O’Kelly-Gillard co-helm the team, with the latter demonstrating considerable prowess in the copyright sphere and is a pre-eminent presence within the media, entertainment, and digital sectors. Phil Sherrell led the team in the case of COPA v Wright regarding the ‘Battle of the Bitcoin’, while Ewan Grist led the team representing Lidl against Tesco. Other notable names include Peter Brownlow, who co-leads the firm’s International IP Group, and Toby Bond, an AI expert who continues to develop the firm’s technology capabilities. Louise Sargeant is a strong choice for large-scale project work. Nick Aries re-joined the group from the firm’s San Francisco office, while Christopher De Mauny departed to the San Francisco office. Seasoned practitioner Robert Williams retired in May 2024.
Key clients
- Activate
- B&Q
- Chick-Fil-A
- Crypto Open Patent Alliance
- DeBeers
- Extreme-E
- Fiorucci
- Interflora
- International Olympic Committee
- Lidl
- Merck KGaA
- Monster
- PRET
- Sinocare
- Stability AI
Work highlights
- Acted for Lidl in the high-profile Lidl v Tesco Court of Appeal trade mark and copyright decision, which generated worldwide press coverage and achieved a successful result for the client.
- Acted for COPA in the ‘Battle of Bitcoin’ copyright case against Craig Wright, with a successful result.
- Defending Stability AI against Getty Images in a copyright, database rights, and trade mark claim filed in the UK courts by Getty Images.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Tom Snaith, Rebecca O’Kelly-Gillard